UN Secretary-General Race Intensifies Amidst Diplomatic Maneuvering
The contest to succeed UN Secretary-General António Guterres is reaching its climax, with a dramatic diplomatic struggle underway among the 193 member states to determine the next leader of the United Nations. The race is marked by increasing pressure to appoint the first woman to the post after 80 years and nine male secretaries-general, alongside a tradition favoring a representative from Latin America.
Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, highlighted the significant challenge facing the next secretary-general, stating, "Whoever is chosen must come with a very strong backbone to lead change. Because if not, the system will swallow him. The UN bureaucracy, the regulations, the reports, you know, very quickly you get swallowed into it. He needs to come with a backbone, to understand that he has a very important mission to change the UN, to make it effective, relevant."
Leading the candidates is Costa Rican economist and former Vice President Rebeca Grynspan, who has stated, "I speak and listen to everyone. I don't close doors, I don't serve any interests other than the Charter." Other contenders include Guyana's Ambassador Caroline Rodrigues-Birkett and former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who faces strong US opposition. On the male side, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi is a prominent candidate, asserting, "We need to restore the credibility, the centrality of the UN."
Jerusalem views this election as particularly critical, given the historically low point in relations with Guterres since the October 7th attacks. Danon confirmed that Israel is engaging with all candidates to understand their positions, emphasizing, "We are meeting with all candidates. We want to know them better, to hear their positions. It is also important for them to hear from us. We are not taking a public stance regarding any candidate."
Danon expressed confidence in the US, a close ally, to navigate the Security Council and prevent the election of an unfavorable candidate. "We certainly trust the United States, our brave partner, to know how to make the right moves and lead to the election of a secretary-general who can both lead change and stop the hostility against Israel," he concluded.
